Bruce Muir aboard the Caisson,
 named for the passage across Kingston Harbour, the Millennium Rose.

This past spring, after meetings of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Committee, it was decided to begin repairs on the caisson. Members of the Committee put together a plan which first attempted to float the door and move it back far enough that stop logs could be placed across the front of the "small caisson dry-dock".

With the assistance of Art Norris, Bob Adam, Alan Grant, Francis MacLachlan and several others, we managed to float the caisson on our second attempt Aug. 31, 1998. We also managed to move it back far enough to allow stop logs to be put in place.

This fall we had 46 steel stop logs fabricated and delivered to the Museum. Over a period of several days beginning on Oct. 17, 1998, and with the help of many volunteers, several members of the Board, the Marine Heritage Committee, Museum members and people just interested in the project, a wooden seal was constructed, installed and the stop logs put in place. This itself was a significant accomplishment as there were no records to which we could refer as to how it had been done in the past.

Once the stop logs were in place, it took several attempts to pump the small dry-dock out. Thanks to the assistance of Art Norris who responded to my constant cry of "bring me more pumps!", we managed to dry the dock and undertake a very preliminary examination of the door on Oct. 29, 1998.

 

Click here for a preliminary drawing of the Caisson.

The examination indicated that the door was in better condition than we had expected and warranted a further sustained pump down in order for a proper survey to be conducted both inside and outside. This was accomplished on Nov. 19, 1998 with the aid again of several volunteers, labourers, divers, planners, engineers, rags and saw dust.

Jonathan Watson completed a reasonably extensive survey on the structure and it was decided that the caisson was repairable. We also determined that the repairs could not be completed in the caisson chamber.  We then began to prepare the door for transport to Metalcraft Marine’s dry-dock in the Kingston inner harbour.

With the assistance of several volunteers, the door was prepared for transport. This involved removing the steel support beams over the small dry-dock, removing and preserving the yoke, raising the bridge, moving the ship and removing the stop logs. On December 14, 1998, the door was moved out and placed across the mouth of the dry-dock. Unfortunately, the water level would not allow us to turn the door in preparation for towing. We did not have enough water over the sill so we were forced to move the door back into the small dry-dock.

With the help of Jonathan Watson, we moved about seven tons of sludge and timber inside the caisson and improved the trim. Our next attempt on Dec. 9, 1998 was put off because of high winds and waves. On Dec. 15, 1998, we pulled the door out and put it alongside the Alexander Henry with the aid of several volunteers and two 45-ton cranes.

By noon we were under tow and proceeding to the inner harbour. By 1:00 p.m., we were firmly aground in the channel leading to the bridge for the first of many times that afternoon. At around 4:00 p.m. we managed to find a deep enough channel to the bridge and through it. We then proceeded to Metalcraft Marine.

The water was not deep enough to put the caisson in the dry-dock, but it was ready for dry docking in the early spring. We expect it back around mid-May, when we can put it in place before starting the next phase. Some time in 2000, we will dry the dock in order to begin moving the Alexander Henry in.

There were many volunteers who have enabled the project to come this far. Many people have contributed not only their time, but have also provided equipment and materials.

I cannot mention everyone who helped out, but some of the major contributors are Art Norris (on sight every day moving equipment and recruiting volunteers), Ken Mullens (diving), Jonathan Watson (Marine Survey and repair design), Jim Beatson (volunteer labour), Francis MacLachlan ("will-it-float" consultant), Bill Dalton (major supplier of materials and equipment as well as labour), Alan Grant (labour, equipment and drafting services), Bob Adams (planning and labour), Steve Alford (diving), Rick Gillespie (marine engineer and dry-dock consultant), the City of Kingston and two of their staff who worked without pay on a Saturday using a city boom truck to remove the stop logs.

In addition to the volunteers, Museum staff have been very helpful, especially Graham Wallace, who not only provided labour but also had to keep moving the ship in and out as plans changed.

Bruce Muir


| Home Page | Marine Museum | Alexander Henry | Bed & Breakfast | Pump House |
Tea Room |  | Gift Shoppe | Site Rentals | Hours of Operation & Admission Prices | 
 | Membership | People | Upcoming Events | Publications | Research | Boat Pro |
| Maritime Heritage Centre |  World Links | Quick List | Contact Us |
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston
55 Ontario Street, Kingston, Ontario. K7L 2Y2
Phone: 613 542 2261 Fax: 613 542 0043
E mail: marmus@marmuseum.caWeb site: http://www.marmus.ca